Tag Archives: beauty products

A Push for Safe Beauty Products

As I’ve warned before, your beauty products may be doing you harm.  Right now, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t approve ingredients used in beauty products before they hit the shelves.  Instead, that responsibility of safety falls on the beauty product companies.  Still, there could be lead in your lipstick, lead acetate in your hair dye, and even formaldehyde and 1, 4-dioxane in you baby’s shampoo. But, that may change soon.  The Safe Cosmetics Act was introduced in 2011.  The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is hoping to convince the House of Representatives to support this bill, which would require … Continue reading →

Reading Beauty Labels: Citric Acid

We can figure this one out from the name, right? Citric, as in “comes from citrus fruit”? Acid, as in “has a pH level less than 7.0“? Citric acid is naturally found in citrus fruits. Lemons and limes are among the fruits with the highest concentrations of citric acid — and this is what gives lemons and limes their sour taste. Oranges and tangerines are sweeter, and have less citric acid than their sour cousins. Citric acid is also found in some berries, like raspberries and blackberries. If you’re a label reader like I am, you’ve probably seen citric acid … Continue reading →

Reading Beauty Labels: What is Stearic Acid?

Normally, I’d say it’s a bad idea to put any kind of acid on your face or body. But if you start reading the labels on your favorite health and beauty products, you’ll probably run into this one: stearic acid. Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid, also known as octadecanoic acid. (That’s a mouthful and a half, so I’ll stick with calling it “stearic acid” thank you very much!) Fatty acids are a good thing for the body. They are the acids produced when fats are broken down. Fatty acids are not highly soluble in water and can be … Continue reading →

Reading Beauty Labels: What is Urea?

It’s time for another closer look at the stuff that goes into our favorite beauty products. Today’s target: urea. Urea (sometimes known as carbamide) is an organic chemical compound. It is produced by humans and many other mammals, amphibians, and some fish. It is produced when the liver breaks down ammonia and protein or ammonia and amino acids. The kidneys then send urea out of the body along with urine. Urea helps carry excess nitrogen out of the body. Um… sounds like kind of a yucky thing to put into beauty products! But it’s used in cleansers, conditioners, hair dyes, … Continue reading →

Reading Beauty Labels: What is Paraben?

I’ve been reading labels again. I’m always curious about what goes into the products I love, like lotion, fancy bubble bath, and other bath and beauty stuff. Part of that is because I like to try making home versions of expensive bath products… but the other part is that I like knowing what’s going in or on my body. Paraben is one ingredient I’ve heard concerns about — and in response, seen a lot of “paraben-free” items appear on the shelves. So what is paraben, anyway? The different types of paraben (including proplyparaben, ethylparaben, and butylparaben) are chemical compounds that … Continue reading →

Reading Beauty Labels: What is Glycerin?

I’m a reader; always have been, always will be. You put something with words on it in front of me and I’ll end up reading it. I was reading the ingredients on a bottle of lotion (usually I’m looking to see what kind of fragrance it has — natural or synthetic) when I noticed that the second ingredient was glycerin. I’ve you’ve tried making your own soap at home, you may already be familiar with glycerin (or glycerol). It’s popular in soap because it acts as a humectant — it attracts moisture to the skin. Check your labels — glycerin … Continue reading →

Designer Beauty Supplies For Travelers

How has the government’s crackdown on liquids and gels affected your packing? If you are one of those glamour girls who loves to pamper your hair and skin with high-end beauty products you’ve likely either had to start packing your goods in your checked baggage (and hope that they end up at your destination) or you have been forced to leave them at home and buy new ones when you land. Or, if you are like me you head to the nearest drug store and hunt for generic brands of mini shampoos and lotions to bring on board your flight. … Continue reading →

Save Money on Expensive Beauty Products

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There are so many things in our homes that we take for granted and assume they have only one use, or no use at all. I love those lip plumping products, but I just can’t bring myself to spend all that money on them. I love the fresh feeling of my skin after exfoliating, but who can afford those expensive body scrubs? Some of these frugal beauty tips might surprise you, but they all use inexpensive products that you likely already have in your refrigerator or kitchen cupboard – why not give them a try? Lip Plumper Mix together: 1-2 … Continue reading →